Mirroring the Park Across the Street, This Family Home in Belgium Is Surprisingly Layered

Houses We Love: Every day we feature a remarkable space submitted by our community of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners. Have one to share? Post it here.

Project Details:

Location: Ghent, Belgium

Architect: Atelier Vens Vanbelle / @ateliervensvanbelle

Footprint: 2,411 square feet

Photographer: Mr. Frank / @mr_frank_photo

From the Architect: "A couple with three teenage children bought a foreman’s house near the former harbor of Ghent, which has Queen Astrid Park to the back of the plot.

"The lady of the house has a passion for greenery and plants, which was translated into the redesign. In addition, the couple wanted to have contact with street life and neighbors. So the ground floor was transformed into the bel étage. For a new kitchen, the floor level was raised by more than half a meter, which offers the residents a direct view of the garden and the street, but without passers-by being able to take a look inside.

"For the clients, the park at the back absolutely had to be part of the living experience. Residents have an unobstructed view of the greenery through the split southern rear facade. The double construction was necessary to limit the risk of overheating due to direct sunlight. It also immediately marks a covered access zone at the rear and a greenhouse. This in-between space also increases the feeling of intimacy and privacy in relation to the outside world and draws the green inside. The family’s residential program also included a chill-out area for the children. It took the form of a multifunctional mezzanine. The children can fill it in as they wish and perform all kinds of activities in it. They sit separately, but the parents can hear what is happening from the living areas."